Sell me on a real 5.1 system VS AiO kit.

[Mkilbride]

So, this is for my PC, not TV. My room is decently small and I've been using Logitech X-530's since 2006. Time for an upgrade. These are nice, but out-dated. And of course, cheap.

Now, I want to replace them with this:

Amazon.com: Edifier USA S550 5.1 Multimedia Audio Speaker System: MP3 Players & Accessories

S550

A really great AiO kit someone recommended to me a long time ago. High quality, dual driver, tweeter, really powerful kit for the price and easy setup. Nice shape. Man that Center is HUGE though, it may not even fit properly on my desk in the area my current is lol, can't tell from the picture though.

SPECIFICATIONS

Power output: RMS 32Wx5 + 120W (THD=10%)
Signal to noise ratio (amplifier): >=85dBA
Input sensitivity: 5.1Ch: L/R: 480mV +/- 50mV SW: 175mV +/- 30mV Stereo:
L/R: 520mV +/- 50mV SW: 200mV +/- 30mV
Frequency response: L/R: 140Hz ~ 20kHz SW: 20Hz ~ 133Hz
Bass Unit: 10", magnetically shielded speaker driver, 4Ohm.
Satellite Unit: Mid-range ---- FR/FL/SR/SL: 3 1⁄2", magnetically shielded, 8Ohm C: 3 1⁄2",
magnetically shielded, 4Ohm
Tweeter unit--- 1" silk dome tweeter, magnetically shielded, 6Ohm
Dimension: Subwoofer: 14.4"x15.6"x19.2" (367x397x489mm) WxHxD
Front speaker: 4.6"x8"x6.3"(116x203x160mm) WxHxD
Center speaker: 12.4"x4.6"x6.2" (316x117x157mm) WxHxD
Gross Weight: approximately 82.5Lbs (37.4kg)
Power Input: 100V-120V ~, 50/60Hz

Luxurious 5.1 speaker system with 10 inch subwoofer
Wooden MDF housing for all speakers
Passive radiator on both sides on the subwoofer to exaggerate bass performance
Magnetically shielded drivers for all speakers
Switchable dual input ports for both 5.1 channel and stereo inputs
Multifunctional wired controller with 2.5 inch LCD display (dimmer included)
Headphone output on wired remote controller
Master volume controls both speaker output and headphone output
Volume booster for extra power output
Separate bass and treble adjustments
Multifunctional wireless remote controller included

Granted, for a AiO kit, it's pretty expensive. But I prefer it to going with the Z-5500, after researching them...meh, the S550 are pricier, but far better.


----------------


But it's your job, to convince me to get a Receiver + all the wires + speakers I need for 600$ or less that can beat this kit. Else I'll just be getting the kit. I don't want 2.1 either, 5.1 or bust, 7.1 if you can miracle it. My room is rather small, not measured it, but def not the room where I need booming bookshelf speakers the size of a boogey board.

Old picture, but basic setup remains the same.

 

[fuzz092888]

This seems like an odd thread for the HTPC and media server section. Seems like it would be better suited for the speakers area, beginners area, or general A/V discussion area.

Why on earth do you want to try and shove 5 or 7 speakers on your desk for sound?

You don't need a receiver, necessarily for a computer setup.

IMO, quality speakers would pretty handily beat both setups. As someone who has had a z-5500 speaker system all through college I can honestly say that these kits are good depending on your uses, needs/wants, and budget.

If you have to have a 5.1 channel setup right this instant for surround sound and movie watching and your budget is at $500ish bucks with no dramatic increase in sight, then I would say it wouldn't be a bad idea.

For computer speakers, it's a waste of money IMO and also probably a waste of time trying to convince you otherwise based on your comment about large bookshelf speakers. Large bookshelves don't need to be boomed, you can boom either of the systems you've mentioned. The difference is a good set of bookshelves and a decent subwoofer will sound better, and produce more accurate sound while not taking up as much deskspace (best placement is either on wall or on stands by the looks of it).

Anyone on here can try to educate you about why quality speakers would beat the ones you have picked out, but it seems to me you need to go hear for yourself. If you want recommendations go over the the loudspeaker section and there are a couple threads on pages 1 and 2 where other people with similar budgets have asked about computer speakers. All the recommendations are out there.

 

[Mkilbride]

This seems like an odd thread for the HTPC and media server section. Seems like it would be better suited for the speakers area, beginners area, or general A/V discussion area.

Why on earth do you want to try and shove 5 or 7 speakers on your desk for sound?

You don't need a receiver, necessarily for a computer setup.

IMO, quality speakers would pretty handily beat both setups. As someone who has had a z-5500 speaker system all through college I can honestly say that these kits are good depending on your uses, needs/wants, and budget.

If you have to have a 5.1 channel setup right this instant for surround sound and movie watching and your budget is at $500ish bucks with no dramatic increase in sight, then I would say it wouldn't be a bad idea.

For computer speakers, it's a waste of money IMO and also probably a waste of time trying to convince you otherwise based on your comment about large bookshelf speakers. Large bookshelves don't need to be boomed, you can boom either of the systems you've mentioned. The difference is a good set of bookshelves and a decent subwoofer will sound better, and produce more accurate sound while not taking up as much deskspace (best placement is either on wall or on stands by the looks of it).

Anyone on here can try to educate you about why quality speakers would beat the ones you have picked out, but it seems to me you need to go hear for yourself. If you want recommendations go over the the loudspeaker section and there are a couple threads on pages 1 and 2 where other people with similar budgets have asked about computer speakers. All the recommendations are out there.

Just assumed since this is the HTPC section, it'd be the right area, as it concerns Audio & PC's, but alright.

I just wanted a legit setup. Many people have told me when I showed them that set that you could make a better 5.1 setup for the same money and buy real speakers, not PC ones. However, none of them showed me any. They just said I could.

So I was hoping the fine folks at Audioholics could show me a build for my price range that would be better than the S550's.

And how wouldn't I need a receiver? Are you saying I could hook it up via Optical(TOSLINK) or something directly to my sound card? I had heard before that wouldn't work from others and I would need one, unless I bought a AiO kit like above.

As for on my desk, it was the only place to put them. I suppose if I got really really long speaker wire, threaded it along the walls, I could mount 4 of them surrounding me and the the center speaker where my current is, or near it. Though I fear having one above my head, I'm sure it'd be secure in place. Probably give a richer harmony as well.

I came to ask you, because you people are the True Experts, not the guys in some retail store.

 

[fuzz092888]

Well theres a distinction there that you're not making, which is common so no worries. There are so called "computer speakers" and then there are speakers which you use for your computer. It sounds silly, but it really is an important distinction. There is an entire segment of the speaker market designed for computer speakers, but the only thing that makes them so called "computer speakers" is their size for convenient placement next to computers.

There are many good bookshelf speakers that are much much better quality than those 5.1 setups and will give you good room filling sound, that just sound better IMO and by objective measures.

The real issue isn't the need for a receiver per se, its the fact that most of the speakers that get recommended aren't self powered, which means you'd need an amp and a way to deliver the signal to the amp.

http://forums.audioholics.com/forums/beginners-audiophytes/79394-2-1-computer-speaker-reccomendations.html

http://forums.audioholics.com/forums/beginners-audiophytes/79540-advise-computer-setup.html#post879484

If I were you I'd take GranteedEVs suggestions seriously, the guy seriously knows what he's talking about.

Unless you are watching movies on your computer you really don't need a 5.1 channel setup and two pairs of bookshelves arranged around your seat will sound much better than what you've got going on.

http://forums.audioholics.com/forums/pros-joes-systems-gallery/67196-mantown.html

Scroll about a third of the way down and you'll see a computer setup with 4 speakers. That's eventually what you're kinda shooting for if you want to have total enveloping sound around you at the computer and will sound much better. The thing is if you start with one of the small amps as mentioned in one of the above threads, get two good bookshelves, then later on you can add two more bookshelves, a subwoofer and a receiver and you will have one sick setup. All told you're looking at $500 now and probably $1000 bucks later. ~$500 for two quality bookshelves now plus the small amp. $400-500 for a receiver, another $200 for two more bookshelves (if you find you want them), and ~$400 for a sub.

http://www.cadencesound.com/products/CSX12-Mark-II.html

http://www.cadencesound.com/products/F19w.html

http://www.sourcespeaker.com/14CF.html

Just some more stuff to look at. When you start with a low budget, it often ends up costing you more in the end because you will end up replacing them. Waiting and buying quality components once or twice has a lot more value, but I can understand not wanting to wait, we've all been there. My comment earlier about misplacing this thread has more to do with getting more responses. Put a thread in the wrong section and you may end up with only one respondent and who knows if I know what I'm talking about or not. I could just be BSing you over here anyways, good luck and if you have more questions comments or concerns come on back ya hear.

 

[Mkilbride]

Well theres a distinction there that you're not making, which is common so no worries. There are so called "computer speakers" and then there are speakers which you use for your computer. It sounds silly, but it really is an important distinction. There is an entire segment of the speaker market designed for computer speakers, but the only thing that makes them so called "computer speakers" is their size for convenient placement next to computers.

There are many good bookshelf speakers that are much much better quality than those 5.1 setups and will give you good room filling sound, that just sound better IMO and by objective measures.

The real issue isn't the need for a receiver per se, its the fact that most of the speakers that get recommended aren't self powered, which means you'd need an amp and a way to deliver the signal to the amp.

http://forums.audioholics.com/forums/beginners-audiophytes/79394-2-1-computer-speaker-reccomendations.html

http://forums.audioholics.com/forums/beginners-audiophytes/79540-advise-computer-setup.html#post879484

If I were you I'd take GranteedEVs suggestions seriously, the guy seriously knows what he's talking about.

Ok, but in the first post of my topic, I say 5.1 only, no 2.1 setups.

I was just looking over at that topic.

And yes, I mentioned PC Speakers VS Real speakers, even in my title. I guess I could repost the topic over there if that's the proper area.

And I've done down the route of looking at amps and self powered speakers.

If it came to that, I'd just get the AiO kit, it'd be better.

 

[fuzz092888]

Well, I read your first post and that's what I've been trying to tell you, a quality 2.1 will sound better than those 5.1 systems. A real 5.1 system is out of your price range quite frankly.

 

[fuzz092888]

you still haven't explained why you think the 5.1 system is better and you will get similar responses over in the loudspeaker section as well. A quality 2.1 beats those 5.1 systems unless you're trying to get surround sound, which means you're really looking to buy a HT setup which is out of your price range more or less at ~$500.

 

[its phillip]

No, people showed you some decent/real speakers, but you crapped all over their choices because they were "too big."

 

[jonnythan]

If I were you, I'd get a pair of Audioengine A2s or some powered studio monitors and a decent small sub.

 

[markw]

It's all mind over matter.

If you don't mind what you currently have, it really doesn't matter now, does it?

A decent stereo system with a bass box system beats a POS 5.1 system any day, and presents much less of a placement problem.

 

[Mkilbride]

Onkyo HT-S9400 THX 7.1 Ch Network Home Theater Receiver/Speaker | Accessories4less

Mm, someone linked me to this, pretty good price. What do you think?

 

[jonnythan]

I think you would find that Onkyo setup staggeringly disappointing for your application.

 

[fuzz092888]

I think if you like your old setup you'll probably like the onkyo system.

 

[Mkilbride]

I think you would find that Onkyo setup staggeringly disappointing for your application.

Why would that be?

I was assured over at HiDefJunkies that it'd be like going from fast food to a 4 star meal. And much better than the S550.

Can you explain? Thanks.

 

[jonnythan]

For sitting at a PC? Not at all. Those speakers won't even fit on your desk.

 

[fuzz092888]

Because over here we strive to achieve the best audio quality we possibly can within our budgets. This means clean, accurate, balanced sound from speakers that measure well.

To us that onkyo system would measure badly, is clumsy and awkward for a PC setup and couldn't hold a candle to a real HT setup. That is the general opinion of the people on this forum and everyone may not agree with me, or have more to add, but that's why there aren't many people around this forum who would ever recommend a HTIB when for a similar price, someone could begin building a much better SOUNDING system. If you're not used to accurate, excellent sounding speakers then you can't possibly appreciate the differences we're trying to convey to you.

I'm not saying you can't EVER appreciate the differences, you have yet to own a pair or spend some real time listening to really good speakers so that you can begin to appreciate the differences. To us the HTIB is a waste of money and that's why, I at least, refuse to recommend it when people ask.

 

[markw]

It's more like a BK Whopper as opposed to a basic White Castle slider.

Are you prepared to position yourself in the center of those five speakers so you get the full, correct effect of those few times you wil avail yourelf of that all-surrounding multi-channel sound? If so, then go for it. It's about as good as you'l get for that price.

If not, then face the fact that two channels is most likely all you'll ever need, or have room for, at a computer moniter, assuming you have any semelance of a life and any friends and/or family that you associate with.

 

[Beatmatcher247]

What are you doing on this computer that you want 5.1 for? Gaming? Movies? Music?

Very few games support true multichannel properly. Those that claim to often just put the same information out over all channels.

Do you have a multichannel system that you like the sound of now?

Does your video card support audio/video output via HDMI interface?

Maybe you would be money ahead to just put your PC next to your entertainment center and run the HDMI cable to one of your home theatre receiver's HDMI inputs, and display the PC's video signal to the TV.

Klipsch Ultra-Promedia was a half-ways decent sounding powered 5.1 speaker setup made to connect to a 5.1ch computer sound card, but they used cheap components and I had mine to an electronics repair guy a couple times.

 

[Mkilbride]

So are you ready to act like adults now and discuss this properly?

I'd really like to get this question answered.

Just got a nice setup for my living room, 2.1, as mentioned in this thread, and would like to get a good setup for my PC now:

http://forums.audioholics.com/forums/loudspeakers/79655-looking-buy-2-1-system-my-living-room.html#post881009

Can probably wall mount most of them.

I was even thinking of becoming a Boston Acoustics fan and buying one of their 5.1 setups + a Receiver.


Something like this, maybe?
Server error

Then I could snag a Receiver like this:

DENON AVR-1312 5.1 Channel A/V Home Theater Receiver | Accessories4less

Buy whatever wall mounts I need and put one in each corner of the room on the wall, the center where my current is, or right above it. Subwoofer on my lower right where my current is.

Might be a good idea? Better than the AiO kit?

Or maybe this?
Server error

it comes with the Wall mounts.

Trying to figure out what the difference is though:

Server error

100$ more, "Special Edition" and at a glance, I can't tell why.

Thanks.

 

[jonnythan]

When asking people for help, I always make sure to insult my audience first.